Silverbush, Abraham

Abraham Silverbush

Born 1932 in Skala-Podilska, Poland PL

Died 7/20/2018 in Syracuse, NY

Holocaust Survivor .

Abraham Silverbush, who quietly lived an heroic life, died on July 20, 2018. Abe was born in 1932 in a small village in Poland called Skala-Podilska (now part of Ukraine). He was educated by Chasidim in his youth.
Abe, his four siblings, his mother, Gusta, and his father, Sigmund, were separated. After his father and older brother, Benjamin, were murdered by Nazis, Abraham - although only an adolescent - became "the man of the family," a particularly serious burden during wartime. It is somewhat due to his efforts, and largely through perseverance, that the remainder of the family survived. The surviving family members spent five years in Bergen-Belsen before being permitted to emigrate to the United States. In 1950, Abe, his mother, and younger brother, Itzak (Edward), were brought to an ocean liner in Hamburg. After four days on the ship, they arrived in Boston Harbor. A Jewish immigration organization brought the three from Boston to Syracuse, and Abe fell in love with America.
Abe loved the temperament of America. He loved the people, the natural splendor of Central New York, the Atlantic Ocean, and the opportunities to live freely. He loved to make the finest furniture the old-fashioned way, and taught night classes in furniture-making in Syracuse schools. He enthusiastically supported his mother and put his younger brother through Syracuse University. He enjoyed animals, chess, and soccer. As a player, coach, and referee, he was one of the organizers of the first amateur soccer leagues in Syracuse.
Just a few years after he came to America, Abe met CeCe Seigle. Her lightness balanced him. His weight grounded her. Music had special meaning to them. She loved singing; he loved classical piano. They were married in 1955 and immediately started a family, gradually having six children. Music became a centerpiece of the family. Jewish identity was also a centerpiece.
Abe was committed to Jewish learning and the study of Torah. He and CeCe attended Temple Beth El and Temple Adath Yeshurun, where he sometimes chanted Torah at religious services, a special honor and a special skill, involving a blend of liturgy, linguistics, and music. Though self-taught, he loved to play the piano and compose music. He corresponded with Roger Williams regarding original compositions, and instilled a love of music in his children. Abe was a strong and beloved father, and a kind, giving, and generous man. His love will always be in the hearts of his family. Fittingly, Abe died on the Jewish day of destruction and renewal - the day of fasting, mourning, and prayer known as Tisha BAv. May his renewed soul find peace in Eden.
Abe is survived by his wife CeCe Silverbush. Their love and commitment toward each other never faltered. He is also survived by their six children, Bradley (Brett), Paula, Mark (Kelly), Jeffrey (Simone), Bnai, and E.R. (Sandy) as well as eleven grandchildren: Robert, Jacob, Joshua, Seth, Michael, Melissa, Livia, Samuel, Maya, Jonah, and Talia. Abe is also survived by a sister, Zesala Biegun, of Kfar Saba, Israel.
Services will be conducted at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 22, 2018 at Temple Adath Yeshurun, 450 Kimber Road, in Syracuse. Friends may visit with the family from 11:00 til 12:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Temple immediately prior to the service. Burial will be in Adath Yeshurun Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to Temple Adath Yeshurun, 450 Kimber Road, Syracuse, NY 13224.